The USA Pro Challenge last visited in 2012, as the race came north from Golden. This year, it will be the opposite direction as the race will start in Boulder, head out Highway 93 to Golden, then to the finish in Denver. The starting line at 18th & Pearl will have a festive atmosphere with team busses just east along Pearl Street. The race will lap twice around downtown before heading south on Broadway. Parking and map of the Boulder course can be found on the USA Pro Challenge Boulder web site

After leaving Boulder, the race is on the open road of Highway 93, with a few rolling hills along the way. The race enters Washington Avenue in downtown Golden, and then starts the 4-mile climb up 19th Street to Lookout Mountain. Returning via Heritage Road, the course re-enters Golden on Ford Street, then its east to Denver via 32nd Avenue. The favored viewing points are either downtown Golden or the uphill section of Lookout Mountain. Note, that Lookout Mountain will have road closures and will require either hiking or biking up.

Denver has always been the finale for the race, and it returns to the familiar finish line on Broadway in front of the State Capitol building. Three and a half laps await the racers as they loop down 17th Ave to City Park. The return loop includes Colfax to Fox to 13th Avenue. As always, most of the crowds show up around the finish line, but City Park and 13th Avenue will offer less congested spectating.

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Barely a week goes by where Peter is not watching competitions in running, bicycling, triathlons, soccer, rugby, kayaking, rock climbing or skiing. He moved to Boulder 25 years ago to be close to these recreational opportunities, and the city turned out to be a perfect match for his lifestyle. He is now a locally recognized photographer, traveler and writer. Contact Peter.